as in preparatory
coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows
we need to do some preliminary research in order to properly focus the experiment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in prelude
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event
a meeting to discuss seating arrangements that was merely a preliminary to the formal negotiating sessions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of preliminary
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
Students from local private, public and home schools competed, having already made it through preliminary rounds.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Andrew Cornelius, Twin Cities, 15 Nov. 2025
Santana finished a weak fourth in the preliminary.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Adjective
The 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics officially get underway in Italy on Friday with an opening ceremony headlined by Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli, even if preliminary heats for curling, luge, snowboarding, alpine skiing and women’s hockey have already begun.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
Students from local private, public and home schools competed, having already made it through preliminary rounds.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
On Friday night at Jean K. Freeman Aquatics Center in Minneapolis, Mounds View senior Ellie Bina not only put up a personal best but blew the competition out of the water during the girls swimming Class 2A state preliminaries.
—Andrew Cornelius, Twin Cities, 15 Nov. 2025
Santana finished a weak fourth in the preliminary.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminary
Adjective
-
Within Orthodox circles in Argentina, preparatory stages for conversion may take place in the country, but the beit din, or rabbinical court, that validates them operates in Israel.—
Juan Melamed,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Countries have been working through many of those questions at preparatory meetings, with a final session scheduled for late March.—
Annika Hammerschlag,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This was a prelude to a larger protest just blocks away and a benefit for the families of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.—
Evan Minsker,
Rolling Stone,
30 Jan. 2026
-
When Alvarado asked if the singles are the prelude to the first full album from GNR to feature him and fellow OG member bassist Duff McKagan since the Illusion LPs, Slash dropped a double-dose of good news.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
At the introductory news conference for Suárez 10 days ago, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow harped on the need to add a strong defensive infielder.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Davis has often had some famous friends introduce him before his introductory speech kicks off the evening, but this year was particularly special as former president Barack Obama recorded a video to honor the executive.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preliminary. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
